Minn. refinery seeks approval for $400M upgrade

ROSEMOUNT, Minn. - Flint Hills Resources wants to spend $400 million to upgrade its refinery in Rosemount, a plan that would improve the facility's efficiency but also increase the output of greenhouse gases.

The company filed an application Friday asking the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to amend the air-quality permit for its Pine Bend Refinery.

A St. Paul Pioneer Press report says the refinery is Minnesota's largest. Flint Hills says it contributes about 2 percent of Minnesota's total greenhouse-gas emissions.

The upgrade would be the refinery's largest since 2006. A company spokesman says the latest upgrade would cut emissions of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, but increase output of carbon dioxide.

Rosemount is 20 miles south of St. Paul.

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